Toy gun



March 16, 1948. 5.1.. DRUMHELLER 2,437,727

TOY GUN Filed June 4, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l N V E N T O R fpwneo 'Deum/suse,

ATTO R N EY E. L. DRUMHELLER March 16, 1948.

TOY GUN Filed June 4, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i 9 Z [VM 5 IZ i I N V E NTO R awt/pp Deum/uf@ ATTO R N EY Patented Mar. 16, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT` OFFICE TOY GUN Edward L. Drumheller, Buena Visit. Va.

Application June 4, 1946, Serial No. 874,168 Claims. (Cl. 124-27) l1 This invention relates to a toy gun and more particularly to those vgum in which a projectile -.such as a small ball is projected out ofthe barrel of the gun toward a mark by the impact of a. spring-impelled strike-pin or plunger rod.

It is an object of the invention to provide a toy gun of the aforementioned type in which the spring impelllng means utilizes little space in the longitudinal direction of the gun, thereby the spring impelling means, or apart thereof,

also functions as a stop to prevent reverse rotation of the star trigger.

'Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proclined passage I3 which communicates with the ceeds, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view of one form of my toy gun,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the 1gun illustrated in Fig. 1, showing one of the cap holding and iiring means,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modified form of spring impelling means and star trigger stop means,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustratinga modified form of the means for retaining the ball in the barrel, and a modied form of barrel and handle body construction,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. '1 is a plan view of the spring illustrated in Fig. 1, A

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the star trigger stop member illustrated in Fig. 1, and` Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along theline 9-9 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing, and first to Figs. 1, 2 and 5 to 9, the toy gun constructed in accordance with my invention therein illustrated comprises a handle I integrally connected to a body or handle body 2. The forward end of the handle body 2 is provided with a segmental cylindrical recess 3 which receives the gun barrel I. .The barrel I may be glued or otherwise suitably secured to th handle body.

A sight 5 is secured to the forward end of the barrel by means oi!l a dowel pin 6 and glue. The bore I of the barrel is provided adjacent its rearward end with a pin 8 projecting thereinto to prevent-the balls or other projectiles from rolling rearwardly out of the barrel proper. The upper portion of the rearward end oi the barrel l is provided with an opening 9 through which the projectiles such as the balls III may be fed into the barrel. A curved spring II is secured to the barrel by suitable means such as the screw 4II and extends down into the bore I of the barrel adjacent the forward end of the recess 9. The

spring II prevents the ball I0 from rolling forwardly out of the barrel until impelled by the impelling means to be later described.

A magazine I2 is suitably secured to the upper portion of the handle body. The magazine I2 is provided with a downwardly and forwardly inopening 9 leading into the bore 1 of the barrel l.

Y A stop plug I4 is provided for the rearward end of the magazine I2. The plug I4 extends into the I passage I3 and is preferably held in place by means of a pin l5 extending transversely therethrough and bayonet slot I8 provided in the end of the magazine I2.

The central portion of the handle body 2 is Vprovided with a recess generally indicated by the numeral I1. The recess I1 comprises an upper portion I8 extending entirely across the handle body 2. Below the portion I8 the recess assumes substantially a T-shape (Fig. 9) and this portion Y of the recess is designated by the numeral I9. I'he A strike-pin or plunger rod 23 is mounted for.`

reciprocation in the passages 2I and 22. The forward end of the plunger rod 23 is suitably recessed as indicated at 23 to permit the rod 23 to pass over the pin 8. A block 24 provided with a passage 25 for receiving the plunger rodV 23, is suitably connected to the plunger rod adjacent the central portion thereof by means of pins 26.

and 21. The block 2l is located in the upper porh 3 tion I3 oftherecess i1 and reciprocates withths plunger rod 23.

'I'he forward end wall 23 of the upper P01-tion I3 of the recess l1 is provided on each side of the passage 22 with a pistol cap supporting meansv a recess 32 through which a pin 33 extends trans` versely. The pin 33 is engaged by one end of a cam 34 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 35 in the portion I3 of the recess l1. The other end of the cam 34 is engaged by the fingers 33 of a star-shaped trigger 31 which is also pivotally mounted by means of pin 33 in'the portion i3 of the recess I1 below the cam 34.

'I'he lower portion of the rearward wall 33 of the recess |.1 is curved rearwardly as indicated at 43. A iiat leaf power spring 4| and a star trigger stop spring member 42 are secured to the portion 43 of the wall 39 by means of a screw 43. 'I'he spring means 4| extends upwardly in the recess |1 and preferably freely engages the rearward end of the block 24. The spring 4| is provided with an elongated opening 44 to receive the rod 23. The elongated opening 44 permits the spring to move transversely relative to the rod 23.

The stop member 42 extends upwardly to the upper rear portion of the nger 33 of the star trigger 31 which will next actuate the cam 34, to prevent reverse rotation of the trigger 31.

A trigger guard 45 may be secured to the bottom of the handle body 2 by suitable means such as the screws 46.

In assembling, the barrel, with the spring Il and pin 3, is secured to the handle body 2. Then, with respect to the parts located in the recess |1, preferably the cap supporting means 23 are secured to the wall 23 and then cam 34 is pivotally mounted in the recess by the means 35.' Next, the spring 4| and the stop member 42 are secured to the lower portion 40 of the wall 39 by means of the screw 43. 'Ihe spring 4| is then held rearwardly and the block 24, with the firing pins 3| already secured thereto, is placed in the portion I3 of the recess I1 with the pin 33 ensure on the trigger may then be released and the gun fired at a later time if desired.

On firing the gun, when the trigger is actuated in a clockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 1, the cam 34 engaged thereby -is actuated in a counter-clockwise direction and by means of the pin 33 the block 24 and the rod 23 connected thereto are actuated rearwardly against the force of the spring 4|. In its rearward movement the forward end of the rod 23 passes beyond the opening 9 and a ball l0 drops down into the barrel from the magazine. 'I'he pin 3 prevents rearward rolling movement of this ball |||l and'the spring prevents forward rolling movement thereof. In its rearward-most position, the forward end of the rod 23 is spaced from the ball I0 positioned between the pin 3 and spring |I.

Just after the trigger is moved clockwise beyond the position indicated in dottedlines in v Fig. 1, the trigger finger 3s disengages the cam gaging the rearward side of the cam 34. Next.

the plunger rod 23 is inserted in the' passage 23 forwardly through the opening 44 in the spring 4| and the opening 25 in the block 24 to a podtion such that it blocks the feeding of the balls I3 into the barrel 4 through the opening 3 when the block 24 is in its forwardmost position as shown in Fig. 1. The block 24 is then secured to the rod 23 by means of the pins 23 and 21. The star trigger 31 may next be pivotally mounted in the recess I1 by means of the pin 33. Lastly the trigger guard 33 and the magazine l2 are secured to the handle body 2.

In operation, -the magazine I2 is filled with projectiles such as the balls Il in a well known manner. Next, the star trigger 31 is actuated slightly to withdraw the firing pins 3| a short distance rearwardly of the cap supporting means 23. Powder caps may then be inserted in one or both of the cap supporting means 23. Pres- 34 and the spring 4| thereupon impels the block 24 and the plunger rod 23 forwardly. In its forward movement the rod 23 engages the ball l0 in the barrel and impels it or projects it therefrom. At about the time the ball leaves the plunger rod in the barrel the firing pins 3| strike the powder caps 30 and explode them. This simulates the ring of a real gun since just after the explosion of the powder caps is heard, the ball is projected from the end of the barrel.

It is, of course, obvious that it is not always necessary to operate the gun in the manner Just described. The caps may be fired Without pro- Jecting a ball I3, and similarly, the balls I0 may be projected without nring. a pistol cap.

The modification illustrated in Fig. 3 differs from the modification just described in that a second flat leaf power spring V41 is substituted for the stop means 42. 'I'he spring 41 is convexly curved forwardly as indicated at 43 and the portion 43 thereof extends into the space between two adjacent fingers 33 of the star trigger 31. These two fingers are, the one which will next actuate the c am 34, and the second one in line for the actuation of the cam 34. The upper end of the spring 41 freely engages the rearward end of the block 24 in substantially the same manner as the spring 4|.

Thus, the spring 41 performs a dual function. It assists the spring 4| in driving the plunger rod 23 forwardly, and also, the curved portion 43 'acts as a stop means to prevent reverse rotation of the trigger 31.

Also, in this latter modification, the force required to compress the springs 4| and 41 is distributed over the two fingers of the star trigger that the curved portion 43 thereof lies between. One part oi' this compressive force is transmitted to and can'ied by the actuating finger 33 of the trigger 31 by the block 24 and cam 34. The other part is transmitted directly to and carried by the next actuating finger 33 by the curved portion 43 of the spring 41. Obviously, any force tending to compress the spring 41 must also necessarily tend to compress the spring 4l .located rearwardly thereof, and thus the force required to compress both springs is distributed over two fingers of the star trigger.

'l'he arrangement of the spring impelling means 4| of Fig. 1, and also the similar arrangement oi' the spring impelling means 4| and 41 of Fig. 3, provides an impelling means which utilizes a minimum of space in the longitudinal direction of the gun, thereby rendering the pro jee-tue impening' mechanism particularly adapted for use in pistol type toy guns or relatively short tary magazine such as disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 674,169, filed` of even date herewith.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modified form of construction in which the handle body 2 and the barrel 4' are of integral construction. Also, a modifled form of means for preventing the projectile from rolling out the forward end of the barrel isillustrated.

This means comprises a recess 49 formed inv the forward portion of the magazine i2'. The axis of the recess 49 is downwardly and slightly rearwardly directed, and a relatively small passage 50, preferably coaxial with the recess 49, leads from the bottom of the recess 49 into the bore 'l' of the barrel 4.

A pin 5I, having a head 52l thereon resting normally on the bottom of the recess 49, extends downwardly through the passage 50 a short distance into the bore 1 of the barrel 4'.

A plug 53, having a spring 54 secured 'thereto as by means of a screw 55, closes the recess 49. The plug may be retained in the recess by any suitable means, such as .by friction, or the recess 49 and the plug 53 may be provided with screw threads. The spring 54 urges the head 52 of the pin 5I downwardly to normally maintain the pin 5| extending into the bore 1' of the barrel 4.

The pin 5| projecting into the bore 'I' prevents the ball IU which drops down into the bore 1 of the barrel 4 when the plunger rod 23 is retracted, from rolling forwardly out of the barrel 4' until impelled therefrom by the forward movement of the plunger rod 23. When a ball l is so impelled, the pin is retracted momentarily against the force of the spring 54 by the .ball I0 passing thereunder.

With the exception of the spring means, firing pins and cap supporting means, which are preferably made of metal, any suitable material such as wood, plastic or metal may Ibe used in the construction of my toy gun.

While the invention is susceptible of various modications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and have herein described in detail the preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but intend to cover all modications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a toy gun comprising a handle body, a recess in said handle body, a passage in said handle lbody, a rod mounted for reciprocation in said passage, a. block connected to said rod, said block being located in said recess, a plurality of iiat leaf power springs extending upwardly in said recess, the lower ends of said springsibeing secured to said handle body and the upper end of at least one of said springs pressing against the rearward end of said block, an elongate cam pivotally mounted in said recess, one end of said cam engaging said block toV actuatel the same rearwardly against the force of said one of said springs, a star-shaped trigger pivotally mounted in said recess. the fin-gers of said trigger engaging the other end of said cam in turn for actuating the same, and one of said springs extending. into the space between two adjacent :lingers of said star-trigger. the lingers of said trigger also engaging said last mentioned one of said springs in turn to retract the same. 2. In a toy gun comprising a handle body, a recess in said handle body," aligned passages in said handle body forwardly and rearwardly of said recess, a rod mounted for reciprocation in said passages, a block connected to -said rod, said block being located in said recess, a plurality of at leaf power springs extending upwardly in said recess, the lower ends of said springs being secured to said handle body and the upper ends thereof pressing against the rearward end.of said block, an elongate cam pivotally mounted in said recess, one end of said cam engaging said block to actuate the same rearwardly against the force of said springs, a star-shaped trigger pivotally mounted in said recess, the ngers of said trigger engaging the other end of said cam in turn for actuating the same, one of said springs being curved and extending into the space between two adjacent fingers of said star-trigger, the ngers of said trigger also engaging said curved sprin in turn to retract the same.

3. In a toy gun comprising a handle body, a recess in said handle body, aligned passages in said handle body forwardly and rearwardly of said recess, a rod mounted for reciprocation in said passages, a block connected to said rod, said block being located in said recess, a at leaf power spring extending upwardly in said recess, the lower end of said spring being secured to said handle body and the upper end thereof freely engaging the rearward end of said block, any

elongate cam pivotally mounted in said recess,

one end of said cam engaging said block to actu- Aate the same rearwardly againstthe force of said spring, a star-shaped trigger pivotally mounted in said recess, the ngers of said trigger engaging the other end of said cam in turn for actuating the same, said spring being curved and extending into the space between two adjacent fingers of said star-trigger, the ngers of said trigger also engaging said curved spring in turn to retract the same.

4. In a toy gun comprising a handle body, a recess in said handle body, a passage in said handle body, a rod mounted for reciprocation in said passage, a block connected to said rod, said block being located in said recess, a plurality of iiat leaf power springs extending upwardly in said recess, the lower ends of said springs being secured to said handle body and the upper ends thereof pressing against the rearward end of said block, an elongate cam pivotally mounted in said recess, one end of said cam engaging said block to actuate the same rearwardly against the force of said springs, a star-shaped trigger pivotally mounted in said recess, the ngers of said trigger engaging the other end of said cam in turn for actuating the same, one of saidsprings being curved and extending into the space between two adjacent ngers of said star-trigger, the fingersv of said trigger also engaging said curved Spring in turn to retract the same. p

5. In a toy gun comprising a handle body, a recess in said handle body, a passage in said handle body, a rod mounted for reciprocation in said passage, a block connected to said rod, said block being located in said recess, a fiat leaf power spring extending upwardly in said recess, the

gums? y 1 a :1mmM puns' 7 being to una 8"" uwer en o s lecured Y.

mndlelbody and the upper end tnemftreely l mm engaging the rearward end ot idf block, an The fOllWm@ reference! l 0f 60rd in the elongate cam pivotally mounted inlaid reces, Ille of this mi:

one end of said cam ensuing nid blockto nctu- 5 1mm ate the same rearwardly against the force o1 nid STATES PATENTS spring. a star-shaped trisEer plvotally mollnd Number f Nme me v in said recess, the angers of ma trigger engagingv 153,689. Steinbok Aug. 4. w14

theother end vof said cam in tur'n tor actuating 273.956 Clrk -n Mar. 13, 1 883 the same, said spring -being curved and extend. 10 1.076,125 Kilgore Oct. 21, 191s ing into the space between two adjacent nngers 1,179,887 Avelsgard -..1 --4 Apr. 18, 1916 of Asaid star-trigger. the flnzers of said trigger 1,183,133 Sperry May' 16, 1916 also engaging seid curved spring 1n turn. to re- 1.532.669 Bartezki Alpn'l, 1925 menne me. l v 2,182,369 Barron. Dec. 5. 19739 mwARnnDRUMHmmnmu-- y 

